Amish Country

Mom and Dad wanted to explore Amish country today.

First, they ate at a Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant called Good N Plenty. If you know Dad, he is not about trying out different types of foods. Can you see his excitement and enthusiasm?

Then the three of us decided we would take an Amish buggy ride. Today was a little warmer than what it has been since we have been in Pennsylvania. It think that the temperature is in the 50's. Notice that I still have on a sweater though because it is windy.

Dad and I are waiting for our ride underneath the covered bridge.

Here's Jill and our buggy.

The buggy is tight quarters, just for Mom, Dad and me. The back of the buggy consisted of two thin benches with little to no leg room. I sat on the bench next to Mom.

Our driver, Tom, sat up front holding the horse's reins.

Notice Dad's knee next to the small bench I am lying across.

I enjoyed listening to the horse's hooves hitting the pavement and looking out the buggy
at the beautiful countryside. Then I overheard Tom talking about how these horses and cows have to work for a living - pulling wagons, plowing the fields, and providing milk at the diary farms. Dogs do have the best life!

I feel sorry for these horses and cows, making me appreciate my cushy life.

Here's a one room school house that all the kids within about a 5 mile distance come to school. Amish children go to school from first grade through the eighth grade and are taught by the same teacher. One room and one teacher! Tom also explained that the teachers were young and typically did not teach for very long. When the teachers marry, they stay home to raise their families.

The family who lives on this Amish farm has 13 children! The Amish believe that you should have no wires coming into the home because they view it as connecting you to the outside world. They stand firm on the Bible stating that you should be different from the world and do not have electricity or other worldly items. So, the clothesline is their dryer. I bet it takes a while for the clothes to dry on these cold days.

Here's another buggy passing us. Although we frequently see Amish buggies on the roads, including the main highway, Mom still gets so excited each time one passes by. You would think that they would have a special lane for their safety, like a bike lane but they don't. The cars just slowly pass, being careful not to spook the horses.

During our buggy ride, we also learned about the different types of Amish buggies and wagons. For instance, the one on the right side of the picture below is referred to as an Amish "pickup".

Then we went to a local farmer's market and saw several handmade Amish quilts.

Who knew that quilts were so expensive?

Thank you Mama Duke for making Mom and Dad a quilt as a wedding gift and for the one you made Mom for Christmas. Now, I know why Mom is so protective of them.

Even though I am not allowed to lay on Mama Duke's quilts, I am lucky that I get to have my own chair and not have to work around here.

Now, I guess I will take me a little nap in my warm and cozy sweater on this winter day!

Settling in Pennsylvania

On the first day of the new year, we left Alabama and went to Pennsylvania for Mom to start her new job at a nursing home and Dad to start his training program for his new job as a diesel technician for International Trucks. Due to moving in on a holiday weekend, we had to stay a few nights at a local hotel. Now, we are in our new apartment and getting settled.

Mom and Dad have been going to the apartment's gym in the afternoons, However, this afternoon was actually warm (in the low 50's), so they decided to take a walk and see the ponds we have around the complex.

Here's Dad trusting that this frozen pond will hold his weight.

Here's the pets of the apartment complex - lots of ducks and swans swimming in this pond.

Although we have enjoyed staying here so far, Mom and I had a rough start. The first morning was brutal because Mom accidentally locked us out of the apartment (before sunrise and while it was SNOWING). After seeking help from a sweet neighbor whom we just met and waiting for someone from the complex to let us in, we finally were able to get inside away from the wind and cold. After that unfortunate incident, Mom now has 2 new rules. First, she keeps the keys in the her jacket at all times. Second, if she has to put on a jacket, she also puts a jacket on me. I have never been so cold and could not stop shivering! Just seeing this pile of snow reminds me of that horrible morning.

Dad, Mom and I have spent A LOT of time lying around underneath blankets, trying to stay warm. Thank you Great Grandmother for the electric blanket. I love it. We just can't seem to adjust to this cold weather, especially the wind.

Oh, how I dream about the sunny skies of California while snuggling up on the couch!

Christmas 2009

It was so nice being able to celebrate Christmas with family, especially spending time with this little guy, Harrison, my only human cousin.

Christmas Eve, Harrison opened our Christmas gift to him, a miniature basketball goal.

I think that it was a big hit!

Christmas Day, we went to Aunt Allison's and Uncle Mark's to see Harrison open his gifts from Santa Claus.

It was so much fun seeing the excitement in Harrison's eyes.

He loved being the center of attention and we all enjoyed watching him.

I definitely watched him closely because he loved running up to me to pet me (and not so gently might I add). I spent most of the time running from him, being on high alert whenever he was around.

I also met Milo, my new canine uncle, for the first time.

He, too, liked to play with me. But, he, unlike Harrison, took naps.

I got lots of nice Christmas gifts, particularly clothes. This sweater was from Axle and Dash's Mom, Linnaea. Thank you!

I also received some snow shoes, which I did not care for that much. Rather than walking in them, I decided that it would be easier to just lie down. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

I guess you are wondering why I received all of these winter clothes and accessories for Christmas. Well, Mom, Dad and I will be temporarily moving to Pennsylvania as Dad is training for a new job.

Heading Home - Day 4

Before driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, Mom and Dad visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial in Oklahoma. It is the largest memorial of its kind in the United States and honors the victims, survivors and rescuers affected by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19. 1995. Although it was a sad place to visit, this memorial was also uplifting and inspiring. The memorial portrays how people came together during this unforeseen crisis, helping others in their time of need.

Pictured above is what is left of the exterior wall of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building due to the extensive damage caused by the bombing.

A chain link fence was placed by the bombing to protect the site from damage and visitors from injury. This fence stood for more than four years and became famous itself, with visitors leaving stuffed animals, poems, keychains, and other items there as tributes. Visitors still leave small items along and in the fence.

On a corner adjacent to the memorial is a sculpture of Jesus weeping erected by a church that once stood at this site prior to the bombing. It is based upon John 11:35, "Jesus wept." over his friend's Lazarus death. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, one of the first brick and mortar churches in the city, was almost completely destroyed by the blast.

Also pictured above is one of the two Gates of Time. The bombing occurred at 9:02 am. Time stamps - 9:01 representing the last moments of peace and 9:03 representing the first moments of recovery - are inscribed on the interior of the monument, facing each other and the Reflecting Pool. The outside of each gate bears this inscription: We come here to remember Those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

Here is the Reflecting Pool, a thin layer of water flowing over polished black granite. Visitors who see their reflection in this pool are seeing "a face of a person changed by domestic terrorism."

Here's the Field of Empty Chairs, where there are 168 hand-crafted chairs made of glass and bronze. Each chair represents one of the 168 people who lost their lives in the tragedy, symbolizing their empty chair at their families dinner tables.

19 smaller chairs represent the children who were killed in the bombing.

After recalling the tragedy of the bombing that took place in Oklahoma City in 1995, Mom and Dad needed a little pick me up and lunch before getting back on the road again. So, they went to Toby Keith's I Love this Bar and Grill restaurant. They had a good lunch in this fun atmosphere and then drove to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Tomorrow we plan to be home by late afternoon. I am so glad that we are able to be home for the holidays!

Heading Home - Day 3

Today we drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nothing exciting happening - just a very long car ride. We are all tired and ready for bed.
Good night! Sleep tight!

Heading Home - Day 2

Today was a fun-filled day with lots of sightseeing. We all needed a day to somewhat relax and enjoy nature after being cooped up in the car all day yesterday.

Traveling down Interstate 40, we stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park, consisting of 90,000 acres of huge trees that have turned into stone and multi-colored Badlands.

The dinosaurs walked among these trees as they stood above them millions of years ago.
During that time, these trees grew in rain forests as much as 100 miles away and floated down to this area during flash floods via streams that suddenly formed during the heavy rainfall. The logs were covered with volcanic ash and other heavy sediments, sealing the trees from the atmosphere so rapidly that they did not have a chance to decay. Over time, these huge logs turned into stones! As passed time, erosion occurred and the petrified woods were revealed.

Here's Mom and Dad beside this giant fallen trees out in this desert land.

Pictured below is an up close look at a tree that turned into stone. Each piece of the petrified wood was unique because of its various colors.

Mom kept getting out of the car to walk on the trials but Dad was ready to get further down the road, trying not to get off schedule.

More photo opps!

You can tell I am not amused with the Petrified National Forest. If you have seen one dead tree, you have seen them all. And, the desert is not much to look at either - its just barren.

A portion of the historic Route 66 runs through this national park.

Some one's car broke down (years ago) and Dad tried to help them out to no avail.

Then came my favorite part - the Painted Desert!

The pink hues were beautiful against the blue sky (but then again, anything is pretty after looking at the desert for two days straight).

We spent the night in Albuquerque New Mexico, resting up to face another long day on the road.

Heading Home - Day 1

After Mom and Dad loaded up the cars with all of our belongings, I found myself here in my "apartment". We spent Friday night in Bakersfield, CA, trying to get a head start on our long journey across country. Mom wants to be home for Christmas.

Saturday, we drove and then drove and then drove some more across the Mojave Desert.

BORING! There is nothing in the desert and I do mean nothing.

Then we entered Arizona

(This is the only state sign Mom captured on camera, which is sad considering we went through a grand total of 9 states!)

We spent the night in Flagstaff AZ which was covered with snow. How ironic spending most of the day in the desert and then facing snow at nightfall.

We have to get a good night's rest because we face a busy day tomorrow.

Good night!